The work of this thesis was carried out at the Department of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who has supported and encouraged me from early on until this point, especially:
Prof Manuel Patarroyo: for giving me an opportunity to join your group and
introducing me to this versatile field of adhesion molecules. I am amazed the fact that you have always had time “never saying for tomorrow” for questions and discussions and, even at times when you were ready for the train. I am extremely grateful for sharing your broad knowledge of leukocytes (teaching me which taxis or Buses they are using to move around) and also giving me the freedom to explore and deal with science.
To our collaborators, particularly to Prof Kaj Fried for your support, encouragements and fruitful collaboration. I never forget your true emotions of happiness during the
“poster price” ceremony. To Ass Prof Gunnar Nilsson for having time to share your vast knowledge in the area of MAST CELLS, and showing an interest in our
collaborative work from the very beginning. To Carolina Lunderius for your genuine interest in the mast cell project and involved in dealing with some big tasks. I hope something will come out for the publication though not ready for this thesis. To Prof Paul Hjemdahl for having time for discussion, and get your valuable input in our PLATELETS project. To co-authors, Christina Lillesaar, besides the fruitful
collaboration, many thanks for showing me your skills of working with neuronal cells.
A good Estonian friend and a co-author, Sulev Ingerpuu, it was a pleasure to have you around and have time for some scientific discussions and other issues as well.
I also want to acknowledge some of the other people who helped me a lot in our collaborative study, Agnetha Beinhoff, and for your extraordinary help other than the technical supports, believe me I had saved so many hours since you were keen to send me things through KI Bus. Maud Daleskog and Maj-Christina Johansson in that short period of time, I had a chance to appreciate so many things of your personality. Thank you for your welcoming reception at your work place besides showing me the
techniques.
To Hernan Concha for being always happy to help me and answer my questions concerning FACS. Åsa-Lena Dackland, thank you for your support with the FACS analysis even when you were busy with the cell sorting.
Former and present members of Manuel’s group: Foremost Gezahegn Gorfu, for initiating my first contact with Manuel, and for everything you have done to me with the best of your ability. Ayele Nigatu, I was lucky to get a second chance to work with you in the group, thank you for your help and advice in those early days (“U”-curve).
Zenebech Wondimu for all good times, sharing your knowledge, skills, and reagents (your extended hands were not restricted in the lab but even it reached to my kitchen, recall the plates). For Ingegerd Andurén, the “right hand” of our group, I am extremely grateful for your constant technical supports, always trying to find some solutions for problems and for your extraordinary kindness even at this moment when Iam writing my thesis. Tomoyoki Kawataki for briefing me the many Japanese cultures during coffee times or outside the lab (I still have the good memory of the ‘baby car’ staff,
showing your warm hearted nature). Yuko Oikawa nice to have you in our group for your help, and also for the various Japanese packed snacks and WASABI.
Former and recent reading room mates: Manal Mustafa, Lena Persson and Nikolaos
& Maria.
Once again to Ayele Nigatu for meticulously editing my thesis and also for your moral support during the write-up.
Present and former members of the research department, with special thanks to:
Professor Lars Hammarström for your amazing ways of approaching and treating others which was always the same and allowing us to use your lab equipments.
Haihong, many thanks for your help and willing to share some of your molecular lab facilities.
Helena Domeij, for nice discussions, and great personalities. Tülay Yucel-Lindberg for your thoughtfulness, have some time to ask me the well being of my family and share the happiness when my little daughter was born here. To Binyam Wondimu for your support and encouragements. To Lena Johansson, Karin Trollsås, Agneta
Gustavsson, Blanca, and Sonja for all your support, over the years.
Lars Fredriksson (I appreciate your help with those practical matters during the 11hrs), Tove Olsson, Per Alstergren, Kåre Buhlin, Malin Ernberg, AnnSofi Johannsen, Anna-Kari Hajati, Sofia Tranœus, Lena Karlsson, Prof Per-Östen Söder, Birgitta Söder, Stella Airila-Månsson, Ülle Voog, Ai Komiyama, Fawad Javed, Tomomi Kawakami and Hiroko, it was my pleasure to meet you all in the department and thank you for your good hospitality.
I am grateful for all the opportunities and facilities provided by the department of odontology and the constant support by all administration staffs and the IT people, in particular Kerstin Smedberg for always being cooperative and kind. Tommy
Fredriksson, Martin and Marco for your immediate responses in cases of computer problems.
I have had a chance to get some moral support from Ethiopian’s friends in Sweden Abebe Mache, Aberham, Chuchu, Demisse, Daniel Elias, Daniel Seifu, Elleni Aklilu, Elisabet Seyoum, Eferem & Yesheye, Fekade, Gedyon, Geremew Tassew, Hiwot Agedew, Peter, Teferi Agedew, Tesfaye Tollosa (Thank you for being dependable), Werede & Mesi, Meku & Beti, Yodit.
To Yemiserach Kebede, thank you very much for your support, taking care of my wife when she gave birth and for so many other things.
To all staff members of EHNRI, more particularly to those of you who have been encouraging me through all possible means (I hope you will excuse me for not be able to respond to you in time). Though difficult to list all the names, I sincerely
acknowledge Dr Abera Geyid, late Mr. Tilahun Woldemichael and Dr Eshetu Lemma for the initial go a head to come to Sweden and for genuine moral support. To:
Dr Aster Tsegaye, (Astu), I was blessed to have a nice boss during those turning points (I wonder what will happen if….?). To Farise Kumsa, thank you very much for being a responsible person and also for sending a package of “Kollo” a couple of times. To all
Microbiology and immunohaematology staffs, my heart felt thanks to each of you and I still have the memory of your best wishes and I will keep it forever.
My trustworthy friends Mekuria H/Gebriel & Asku, thank you for having such a nice friends not only at the time of happiness but during the difficult moments.
Dear friends who are on the same track as I was, Girum Taddesse and Eyayu
Kefyalew, many thanks for your moral support (breaking the distance with Skype) and for our good friend ship. Good luck!
To all friends and class mates from EHNRI medical school and Jimma University, I am so happy to hear about your accomplishments.
To all present and past members of Ethio Diagnostic Clinic.
To all family members in Ethiopia; to Mamo Kidane, Yosef, Bayoush, Mulugeta, Sara, Ato Beyene Tebelu, Emebet Beyene. Kebebush, Ferye, Hanna, Teshome, Mulumebet.
I am thankful to God from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends who enrich my life:
My mother, I am sure some one will translate this to you, thank you for being such a wonderful mother who went through all those difficult times and raised me without a father. Many thanks for having me in your heart and pray for me again & again.
To Meseret Tadesse (Mesi), Ayele Nigatu (Ayu), Helena Ayele (Mimi), Ruth Ayele and Dawit Ayele (David), the greatest gift is neither in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends, I should thank my God for having another superb family here in Sweden. When I think of any of my successes to reach at this point, you absolutely know that you are part of it. Thank you for each and every single time we have been together both at times of happiness and sadness, I don’t have the right word except saying “God bless you”.
My lovely kids Yohanna, Abenezer and Mekides, praise the lord for having such nice lovely kids who brings never-ending joys in our home and hence, I have been able to easily forget my frustrations.
Last but not the least “to be more precise who is the most” to my wife Zenash Tesfaye, for your unconditional love, understanding, enormous patience and support regardless of all the burdens I put on you.
A final note: If your name is not here believe me you are in my heart and understand the situation where one might have a goldfish kind of memory at times like this.
This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society and Karolinska Institutet